Navicha appeals for protective guidelines for women in election campaigns

On Thursday, 29 August 2024, a crucial event unfolded in Lilongwe as political leaders from across Malawi converged for the signing ceremony of a new code of conduct for the 2025 elections. This landmark event, organized by a consortium of organizations and funded by UN-Women, sought to foster a fair and respectful electoral process.

Among the key figures at the ceremony were Hon Mary Thom Navicha MP, National Director of Women for the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), and Hon Chipiliro Mpinganjira MP, Director of Legal Affairs, representing the DPP Secretary General. Both played a significant role in the event, underscoring the need for gender-sensitive reforms in political campaigns.

In her address, Hon Mary Thom Navicha passionately appealed to all political parties to ensure they create supportive environments for women candidates. Navicha highlighted the disturbing trend of increased hostility towards women as elections draw near.

“When the campaign heats up and it becomes evident that a woman is emerging as a strong candidate, other competing candidates often resort to hate speech, verbal bullying, and body shaming,” she said.

Navicha emphasized the urgent need for political parties to establish clear guidelines to protect women from such abuses and ensure their participation is free from intimidation.

The signing ceremony was marked by broad participation from various political parties. The United Democratic Front (UDF) and the United Transformation Movement (UTM) were represented by their Secretary Generals and Directors of Women, while the Malawi Congress Party (MCP) was present with Dr. Jessie Kabwira and two other members.

This initiative marks a significant step towards ensuring a more inclusive and respectful political landscape in Malawi, promising a fairer environment where all candidates, regardless of gender, can compete on equal footing.